Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA.

In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with store owner Jake Barone, who operates Laundry House in New York City.

Barone is an entrepreneur, a real estate and construction expert, and a growth strategist with a passion for developing and scaling ventures at the intersection of real estate, construction, and business.

Jake’s entrepreneurial journey began early. By 16, he was running a successful e-commerce business. At 18, he became New York State’s youngest real estate agent. And, by 19, he launched Gateway Builders, a construction firm that ranked No. 170 on the Inc. 5000 list for its rapid growth. Over the next seven years, Jake grew Gateway into a 40-employee company, delivering more than one million square feet of Class A commercial space for REITs, investment firms, and corporate clients in New York City.

Recognizing shifts in the market during the COVID-19 era, Jake pivoted toward laundromats – founding Laundry House, a high-end, data-driven laundromat brand designed to set a new industry standard. Under Jake’s leadership, Laundry House achieved 340 percent revenue growth in just 18 months, establishing itself as a standout brand in the New York City market.

Beyond Laundry House, Barone is focused on strategic partnerships and acquisitions, collaborating with laundromat operators to scale their businesses using branding, operational efficiencies, and advanced marketing technology. His expertise in real estate, construction, and business scaling position him as a knowledgeable and experienced professional in the industry.

We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com